The Morning Sun

Feelings

The four raced back across the river to the palace of Pi Ramesses, the streets now were quieter as they charged their way back. Getting to the palace, the four of them ran up the steps, through the gates and passed the guards who bowed their heads as the two princes ran past.

They stopped before the great hall all four of them panting as the announcer suddenly announced their arrival. Khepri suddenly gasped " I have no wig, I have to go and get one" with that, just as the announcer was about to say her name she turned and ran along the corridor her leather sandals beating on the floor, she ran along the corridors until she got to her chamber. It was quite far away from the Great Hall, her mother explained to her once that there was a hierarchy to the rooms, the rooms closest to the pharaoh were the princes and princesses and his wives then it went out in importance, she was lucky even to have a room in the palace at all. Her mother had said the only reason she got one was because of her being steadfast friends with Nefertari and that her father was beloved of the king as the troop-commander and superintendent of foreign lands.

Her mother always said that they should be thankful for being lucky as her mother only met the Queen Nefertari by chance when she was a priestess of Hathor, and her father had worked very hard to get such an important and prestigious position.

As she flew into the chamber she saw Ebony crying. Ebony upon hearing the noise of the door jumped up and screamed as she saw Khepri she ran to the girl flinging her arms around her " oh thank the gods" she clasped Khepri so tight that Khepri thought she would faint " what happened to you?" Ebony pulled back suddenly a frown coming across her features as the tears fell unchecked down her dark face, her brown eyes twinkled in the torch light. "We have been so worried, your poor mother was beside herself and don't even get me started on your father, he was going to get the whole army out looking for you and your brother" Khepri looked away feeling guilt run through her "we just went hunting" she answered miserably as Ebony shook her dark head "girls don't hunt Khepri, it's not lady like, you don't see the princesses shooting things do you?" Khepri bit her lip and sat on her bed looking down at her hands wringing them slowly.

She loved Ebony to pieces, in some ways she saw her as being yet another mother. Ebony had dark skin, a very round kind face with huge brown eyes. And long midnight black hair that when Khepri was little she used to let her brush the soft tresses. She was a plump woman with a kind and gentle soul, Khepri always felt guilty, when she stepped out of line and caused Ebony distress.

" I'm sorry" she whispered her head still bowed, after a few moments Ebony sighed coming to sit with her pulling her into her arms " It's not me you should be saying sorry to, you and the princes have been gone almost a whole day" Khepri felt a tear fall down her cheek " anyway you are now very late for the feast, still you have to show your pretty face, as apparently there is news which might concern you" she pulled away, wiping Khepri's cheek to rid the tears then stood up and walked to a stand that held some wigs she grabbed a long black wig with golden jewels on the end " here put this on" Khepri stood and with the help of Ebony they fitted the wig over her brown hair " I am glad you don't want to shave your head, like most of the girls, you have lovely hair" Khepri looked at her " you're the second person to say that to me today" Ebony raised her eyebrows "Oh" Khepri smiled as she could tell that her hand maiden was very interested as to who had complimented her hair but was trying to seem nonchalant "Amunher said it" a look crossed Ebony's face but it vanished quickly, replaced by a frown " we don't have time to change your gown" she reached forward hitting the material as dust came off it. Khepri coughed "that will have to do, let's go"

"Oh and my lady please don't go losing this wig as well tonight" Khepri blushed as Ebony gave her one last look over, and they left the chamber.